Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) Syllabus

Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) in Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The Private Security Industry and SIA Regulation

   4 topics

   • Purpose and structure of the private security industry
     • Sectors covered: door supervision, security guarding, CCTV, close protection, cash and valuables in transit, key holding
     • Difference between front-line and non-front-line roles
     • Role of the security operative in protecting people, property and premises
   • The Security Industry Authority (SIA)
     • SIA establishment under the Private Security Industry Act 2001
     • Statutory functions: licensing and the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
     • Licensable activities and the legal requirement to hold a licence
   • Licence types, conditions and offences
     • Front-line and non-front-line licences and their validity period
     • Displaying the licence and SIA standards of behaviour
     • Offences of working unlicensed and engaging unlicensed staff
     • Reporting changes and notifiable conditions to the SIA
   • Professional standards and the SIA code of conduct
2. 2

   The Law for Security Operatives

   4 topics

   • Civil law versus criminal law
     • Standard and burden of proof in each
     • Tort, negligence and duty of care
   • Key criminal offences relevant to the role
     • Theft, robbery, burglary and criminal damage
     • Assault, battery, ABH and GBH
     • Public order offences
   • Powers, reasonable force and use of the law
     • Citizen's (any person) power of arrest under section 24A PACE
     • Reasonable force under section 3 Criminal Law Act 1967 and section 76 Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
     • Self-defence and defence of others and property
   • Equality, human rights and discrimination law
     • Equality Act 2010 and protected characteristics
     • Human Rights Act 1998 in the security context
3. 3

   Health, Safety and Welfare

   4 topics

   • Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
     • Duties of employers and employees
     • Role of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
   • Risk assessment and dynamic risk assessment
     • Five steps to risk assessment
     • Identifying hazards in security environments
   • Common workplace hazards and safe working
     • Slips, trips, falls and manual handling
     • Working alone (lone working) and personal safety
     • Electrical, fire and substance hazards (COSHH awareness)
   • Reporting incidents and accidents (RIDDOR)
4. 4

   Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures

   4 topics

   • The fire triangle and how fire spreads
     • Fuel, heat and oxygen
     • Methods of heat transfer and extinguishing fire
   • Fire prevention and detection
     • Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
     • Detection systems and means of escape
   • Fire-fighting equipment and classes of fire
     • Classes A to F and electrical fires
     • Correct extinguisher selection
   • Evacuation procedures and assembly points
5. 5

   Emergencies, First Aid Awareness and Terror Threat

   4 topics

   • Responding to emergencies and incident priorities
   • First aid awareness for security operatives
     • Primary survey (DR ABC) and recovery position awareness
     • Recognising medical emergencies
   • Bomb threats, suspect packages and explosives
     • HOT principle (Hidden, Obviously suspicious, Typical)
     • Cordons and evacuation versus invacuation
   • Counter-terrorism awareness
     • Recognising hostile reconnaissance
     • ACT (Action Counters Terrorism) and reporting via the anti-terrorist hotline
     • Run, Hide, Tell and marauding terrorist attack response

Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) flashcards for Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence

18 of 50 cards from the Working in the Private Security Industry (Common Core) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the primary purpose of the private security industry in the UK?

   To protect people, property and premises by deterring, detecting and reporting unlawful or unsafe activity, complementing (not replacing) the police, and to safeguard the public and maintain a safe environment.

2. Name the main sectors that make up the private security industry.

   Manned guarding (security guarding, door supervision, CCTV public space surveillance, close protection, cash and valuables in transit), key holding, and vehicle immobilising. Some sectors are licensable, others are not.

3. What does 'the role of the police' versus 'the role of a security operative' mean in terms of authority?

   The police have legal powers of arrest, detention and investigation as warranted officers. A security operative is a private citizen with no special legal powers and acts mainly to deter, observe and report, only using citizen's rights such as a citizen's arrest.

4. What is the Security Industry Authority (SIA)?

   The SIA is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the UK. It is an independent, arm's-length body of the Home Office, set up under the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

5. What are the two main duties/functions of the SIA?

   1) Compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities. 2) Managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) for security businesses.

6. Under which Act was the SIA established and the licensing regime created?

   The Private Security Industry Act 2001.

7. What is the difference between a front line licence and a non-front line licence?

   A front line licence is required to carry out licensable activity directly (and is a credit-card-sized card worn while working). A non-front line licence is for managers, supervisors, directors or those who can influence licensable activity but do not carry it out, and is issued as a letter.

8. List the standard licence conditions a security operative must comply with.

   Display/produce the licence on request, inform the SIA of changes to circumstances (e.g. address, name, convictions), not misuse the licence, return/surrender it if required, and continue to meet the licensing criteria throughout the licence period.

9. How long is an SIA licence normally valid, and what are the key criteria to obtain one?

   Normally valid for three years (one year for certain sectors). Criteria: be 18 or over, pass an identity and criminal record check, and hold an approved/relevant qualification for the sector.

10. Give two examples of offences relating to SIA licensing.

    Working without a licence when one is required, and supplying/using unlicensed staff for licensable activity. Other offences include using a fraudulent licence and failing to display a licence.

11. What are 'professional standards' for a security operative?

    Behaving with honesty, integrity, courtesy and impartiality; being reliable and punctual; maintaining confidentiality; respecting human rights and the public; and following lawful instructions and the SIA standards of behaviour (code of conduct).

12. What does the SIA code of conduct (standards of behaviour) expect regarding the use of force?

    That force is only ever used as a last resort, must be reasonable, proportionate and necessary in the circumstances, and the minimum required to achieve a lawful objective.

13. Why is confidentiality important for a security operative, and which law underpins it?

    To protect personal data and an organisation's sensitive information. It is underpinned by the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, which require lawful, fair and secure handling of personal data.

14. Define civil law and give its main purpose.

    Civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organisations (e.g. contracts, negligence, trespass). Its purpose is to resolve disputes and provide a remedy (usually compensation/damages) to the wronged party, not to punish.

15. Define criminal law and give its main purpose.

    Criminal law deals with offences against the state/society (e.g. theft, assault). Its purpose is to punish the offender and protect the public, with penalties such as fines or imprisonment.

16. Compare the standard (burden) of proof in criminal law versus civil law.

    Criminal law requires proof 'beyond reasonable doubt' (a higher standard). Civil law requires proof 'on the balance of probabilities' (more likely than not).

17. In a criminal case, who brings the case and who must prove it?

    The case is brought by the state (e.g. the Crown Prosecution Service / Crown) against the defendant, and the prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

18. What are the two elements that usually must be present for a criminal offence?

    Actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind/intent). Both generally must be present for a person to be criminally liable.

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